Charging an electric vehicle

Greater range & more charging stations reducing anxiety

In the early days of electric vehicles, it wasn't unusual for a driver to be forced to leave the electric car at home and take the gas guzzler instead. It was a practical decision borne out of a combination of a limited range between charges, and no options except the 11-16-hour charge of a standard electrical outlet.

But today, there are more than 55 BC Hydro-installed DC fast charging stations that will do that will charge most vehicles to 80% in 30 to 40 minutes, plus a small network of Tesla Superchargers for use by Tesla owners. There are also now more than 1,000 Level 2 charging stations across B.C. – stations that will fully charge most vehicles in less than five hours.

New for 2019: BC Hydro introduces fast charging app, RFID card

BC Hydro is rolling out two new options for charging at BC Hydro fast charging stations in 2019, a newly-launched BC Hydro EV mobile app, and a BC Hydro EV RFID card you can use to start charging without mobile access. Download the BC Hydro EV app at the App Store.

For the spring of 2019, the BC Hydro EV App and RFID card will work at BC Hydro stations formerly on the FLO network (mainly in the Kootenays). By the end of the summer, access will be extended to most stations on the BC Hydro network, including those currently carrying the Greenlots sticker.

There are now more than 1,000 Level 2 chargers across B.C. – stations that will fully charge most vehicles in less than five hours. And there are 50 BC Hydro-installed DC fast chargers that will do that same job in 30 minutes or less, plus a small network of Tesla superchargers for use by Tesla owners.

Home and workplace charging station incentives available

Three new rebates, funded with $1.85 million from the Province of British Columbia as part of its Clean Energy Vehicle Program and administered by Plug In BC, are available now through March 31, 2020 (or while program funding lasts).

The report is designed for a broad audience including civic and campus planners, facility engineers, architects, developers, operations personnel, large building owners, individual or fleet electric vehicle consumers and charge infrastructure users.